With a view to ensure better implementation of Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules, the All India Drugs Control Officers’ Confederation (AIDCOC) recently made a strong appeal to health ministry demanding appointment of only technically qualified person in the drugs control organisations. The confederation stressed that posts at central and state level should be headed by only technically qualified person having qualification and experience as prescribed under Rule 49(A) and 50(A) of the D&C Rules.

This demand comes in the wake of repeated attempts by Centre to fill in top post by appointing people who either do not have any technical background or are not experienced to takeover the post. Citing examples, AIDCOC pointed out that in the past Dr Surender Singh, a doctor by profession and Dr G N Singh, a pharmacist without any experience in the drug department were chosen over other eligible candidates to handle the drug controller general of India's (DCGI's) post.

Ravi Uday Bhaskar, secretary general, AIDCOC informed that by selecting candidates who do not fulfill the eligibility criterion as mentioned in the D&C Rules, the CDSCO is not only violating the Act &Rules but is also setting a wrong precedence.

“We fail to understand Centre's rationale, behind appointing people from outside for top post such as that of DCGI and state drug controllers, when we have qualified and experienced experts within the organisation. These people have been in the system from a long time, gradually rising to the senior level to head the organisation through hard work. Unfortunately, it seems that none of these matters as they prefer appointing only outsiders with MBBS degrees, IAS and IPS candidates for the top job when pharmacists with years of experience slogging in the office.”

Bhaskar pointed out that this is not only affecting the morale of the pharmacists working within the organisation but also is jeopardising the job prospects of pharmacists eying top job in the drug regulatory system. He added that apart from bringing major changes in their approach to appointments in the organisation the centre should also focus on strengthening the same in terms of manpower and infrastructure through communication, networking and human resources development.

AIDCOC pointed out that massive training programmes specially designed to meet the existing situation is a much needed requirement to meet the impending challenges due to changing market dynamics. Bhaskar further added that key focus should be given to creating specialists in each area handled by the regulatory agencies for better and effective implementation of the Act and Rules.